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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-21-2013 12:05 PM

downeast450

Re: Installing a bow floodlight

Quote:

Originally Posted by MastUndSchotbruch

All good then

It is a useful tool. From storage to bow rail in a couple of minutes. The 12v socket in the anchor locker eliminates wires on deck. It was a gift that I would not have selected for myself. With the need to show my appreciation I figured out how to mount it. Motoring at night, we used to need to have someone forward helping spot lobster pots. Now it is much safer and simpler. I recommend it as an alternative to a hand held spot. No reflections from the boat when looking ahead. I still carry a hand held. Anyone seeing the light operating at night would assume that is what it is. No hands required is a real plus. No lobster pots in the wheel is, too!

Down

03-21-2013 08:56 AM

MastUndSchotbruch

Re: Installing a bow floodlight

Quote:

Originally Posted by downeast450

I certainly do not shine that light on any other boats. I do understand what a problem that would create, not to mention how obnoxious an improperly used light can be. It is only used to "see" when that becomes difficult. Navigating through a sea of lobster pot floats at headway speed is its duty. It is aimed at the water 10 or 20 yards ahead and can be scanned as necessary. If I were ever concerned that a boat hasn't seen me, it has only happened once under very special conditions,(that is another story!!) I aim it high and flash it on and off. Please know we are careful and thoughtful on and off the water. I suppose it is a mistake to assume that is understood by everyone reading this post. If you are considering a temporarily bow mounted flood you need to understand its purpose, its potential for creating problems and use it accordingly. Ours is used the same way a hand held is used without having to dedicate a hand to operate it. Having a remote controller allows that to be the case with a rail "mounted" light.

Being able to search a rocky shore we are approaching or the basin of a remote anchorage late at night can be helpful. Picking up a mooring in the fog, too.

Enjoy the night!

Down

All good then

03-21-2013 06:36 AM

downeast450

Re: Installing a bow floodlight

I certainly do not shine that light on any other boats. I do understand what a problem that would create, not to mention how obnoxious an improperly used light can be. It is only used to "see" when that becomes difficult. Navigating through a sea of lobster pot floats at headway speed is its duty. It is aimed at the water 10 or 20 yards ahead and can be scanned as necessary. If I were ever concerned that a boat hasn't seen me, it has only happened once under very special conditions,(that is another story!!) I aim it high and flash it on and off. Please know we are careful and thoughtful on and off the water. I suppose it is a mistake to assume that is understood by everyone reading this post. If you are considering a temporarily bow mounted flood you need to understand its purpose, its potential for creating problems and use it accordingly. Ours is used the same way a hand held is used without having to dedicate a hand to operate it. Having a remote controller allows that to be the case with a rail "mounted" light.

Being able to search a rocky shore we are approaching or the basin of a remote anchorage late at night can be helpful. Picking up a mooring in the fog, too.

"... additional stations or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken for any light, shape, or signal authorized elsewhere under these Rules."

A sweeping (hand held) spot light, not so much. Better yet a light mounted on the mast at spreader height so the red/green lights are not overwhelmed.

03-20-2013 01:43 PM

eherlihy

Re: Installing a bow floodlight

Someone will jump in and correct me, but as I recall, the COLREGS only specify the lights that must be used, and not lights that cannot be used.

They do not specify any prohibited lights, other than to say the following; "... additional stations or signal lights, shapes or whistle signals shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken for any light, shape, or signal authorized elsewhere under these Rules."

03-20-2013 01:22 PM

MastUndSchotbruch

Re: Installing a bow floodlight

Quote:

Originally Posted by downeast450

...
I like being able to "announce" my presence when a busy channel is suffering from low visibility. Having a 2 hundred K cp beacon flash on is more effective than the bow mounted running lights. Time to move them to the top of the mast.

Down

I hope you don't "announce your presence" by shining your 2hundred Kcp light cannon onto other boats. If your running lights are in good working order, I don't need any special announcing of your boat, thank you very much.

Nothing is more annoying than carefully feeling your way into a tricky channel, after having taken great care to preserve your night vision, and then getting blasted by a moron with his gazillion candlepower light. Usually it is power boaters who are sitting in their air conditioned cabins, are probably watching TV on the side, and cannot imagine that you can work in an environment that is darker than a well-lit city street.

You know it takes 20 minutes to regain night vision after such an event, right?

03-20-2013 01:17 PM

RobGallagher

Re: Installing a bow floodlight

I have to wonder what having a 90 deg white light on your bow would mean if you where involved in a collision.

Much different, from a legal point of view, than a hand held spot light.

Any COLREGS experts out there? (silly question, I know...)

03-20-2013 01:02 PM

eherlihy

Re: Installing a bow floodlight

If you are worried about another vessel's ability to see your sidelights, turn the spotlight off....

03-20-2013 07:32 AM

downeast450

Re: Installing a bow floodlight

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bene505

I've been thinking about something similar. Is there any worry about putting the light so close to the bow lights, that another boat can't make out the red/green light? (My bow light is mounted in the forward pulpit.)

Regards,
Brad

Brad,

I hadn't thought of that. My running lights are bow mounted at deck level. They are at the original location and seem small to me. I have seen the boat from a distance and am amazed by how visible they manage to be. Lifting them up to a rail mount design was once a plan but masthead will be next.

The flood is mounted on the bow rail, above the running lights.

I only use the flood intermittently when underway. Having a remote controller is the key. Most of the "lobster pot" work is done at headway speed and inshore. It is usually aimed quite low. I don't think it compromises the visibility of my running lights. It sure announces my location if there is another boat near. Or far for that matter. There are offshore lobster boats in North East Harbor with mast mounted banks of large floods that can light up the entire channel for half a mile. When I have witnessed them using those lights I can't remember being able to see anything else.

Down

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